In round one, 45 players won their games. Now they join nine seeded opponents in Jeopardy! lore for 18 more game. The 18 winners then face off for six slots. The two winners of those semifinal games have a date with destiny in the form of one Ken Jennings for a three-day final. The winner of those games wins $2 million. Second place is guaranteed $500,000, while third place is guaranteed $250,000.

No wild cards, no second chances. It's (my favorite words when it comes to Jeopardy! tourneys) win or go home.

Today, a former recordholder faces two-undefeated champions.

MICHAEL ROONEY College professor Pasadena, CA Won $35,201 (3/9)	TOM WALSH Writer Washington, DC 2004 7-Time Champion Seeded Player - $15,000	FRED RAMEN Database coordinator/writer New York City Won $34,000 (3/2)

Jeopardy! categories: "R" Town, Pop/Rock Women, Alphabetically First, Heloise Yes!, Ohio Bio, -oid.

Daily Double: $600 Alphabetically First. Michael finds it on "Go!" and bets $1000. The clue: ...among the Balkan states. Michael's guess: "What is Albania?" Correct for $1000.

End of Round:
Michael - $2800
Tom - $4600
Fred - $4800

Fred's attitude to Tom: "I don't care if you ARE a seeded opponent, my game is ALL THAT!" Well, could be. Heh.

Double Jeopardy! categories: The Islands of Vanuatu (delivered in part by once-and-future J! host Jeff Probst), A Tim Robbins Film Festival, Religious Matters, Have You Herd?, Corporate Sponsorship, Hook the "Barb".

Daily Double #1: $1200 Religious Matters. Fred ($5600 over Tom's $4600 and Michael's $1600) bets the ever popular wager of $1203. "Of course. It makes sense, but only to me," says Alex. Clue: construction on Borobudur, a temple of this religion on Java, was begin in 750 AD & took 92 years to complete. Fred's guess: "What is Hinduism?" Correct response: What is Buddhism? Fred drops to $4397.

Daily Double #2: $1600 Corporate Sponsorship. Tom ($9400 over Fred's $8397 and Michael's $6000; both will end with these scores) fronts only $300. Clue: aptly, this Kellogg's product has sponsored the "American Idol" live tour. Tom's guess: "What is Special K?" Correct response: What are Pop Tarts? Heh. Good one. Anyway, Tom ends the round with the lead at $9100.

In round 2, runners-up are guaranteed $10,000, while the winner is guaranteed at least $20,000.

Final Jeopardy! Category: British Royalty. Answer: when his tomb was opened in 1102, a fragrance filled the air, & his body was perfectly preserved. Correct response: Who was Edward the Confessor?

Michael's question: Who was Edward the Confessor? (RIGHT) Wager: $4500. Final score: $10,500.
Fred's question: Who Edward the Confessor? (RIGHT) Wager: $706. Final score: $9103.
Tom's question: Who is Edward I? (WRONG) Wager: $7695. Final score: $1405.

Can anyone tell me what was up with the three bucks? In any event, Tom Walsh is the first of the big nine to fall, as Michael earns his seat in the quarterfinals, and another $20,000, giving him 55,201. He'll face Dan Melia and Steve Chernicoff there.

Will another one of the seeded players meet their end before seeing the final? Find out tomorrow.